Envelop-forming machine.



No. 861,425. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

w. L. BARS-TOW.

ENVELOP FORMING MAGHINE. APPLiGATION rum) MAY 16. 1906.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- T1 2 fi 3 W/TNESSES I I INVENTOI? 7/5ZZ6JZ3QTJZ021/ATTORNEYS PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

W. L. BARSTOW.

ENVELOP FORMING MACHINE.

APYLIOATION FILED MAY 15. 1906.

e sums-5112 a.

INVENTOH W/ TNE SSE S A TTORNEYS rm: NORRIS P515075 :0

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

No. 861,425.v

W. L. BARSTOW. BNVBLOP FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 16. 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET INVENTOH WITNESSES ATTORNEYS No. 861,425. PATENTED JULY30, 1907.

W. L. BARSTOW.

ENVELOP FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MATH. 1900.

e sums-SHEET 5.

Ti li llllllllll -IIII IIIII W/TNESISES I MM INVEN 70/? Wlierl Barsbwwr/o ATTORNEYS \THE NORRIS PETERS 50., WASHINGTON, n. c.

N0. 86l,42 5.' PATENTED JULY-sq, 1907.

w. L. BARSTOW.

ENVBLOP FORMING MAG'HINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 16. 1908.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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A TTORNE VS WALTER LOUIS BARSTOW, OF

VIOKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

ENVELOP-FORMING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1907.

Application filed May 16, 1906- fierial N 317,085.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, WALTER LOUIS BARSTOW, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Vicksburg, in the county of Warren and Stateof Mississippi, have invented a new and Improved Envelop-FormingMachine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.I

This invention relates to envelop-forming machines.

Where a great number of circulars or letters are to be placed inenvelops, considerable time is consumed in opening the envelope toinsert the letter or circular, and there is also a loss of time insealing the same. The cost of finished envelops is far higher than thecost of the blanks from which the envelope are formed.

The object of this invention is to produce a machine which is adapted tobe used for the purpose of forming envelops about a circular or letterwhich is to be sent by mail; the arrangement being such that the envelopwill be formed and sealed at substantially the same operation.

The invention is expected to be especially useful in I large officesfrom which a large quantity of mail matter is sent out.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts tobe more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine, a portion of the operatingcrank being broken away; Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the machine fromthe right side as viewed in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevation showing themachine from the left side as viewed in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a reversedplan of the machine; Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 55 ofFig. i; Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of Fig. 4; Fig. '7 is ahorizontal section taken through the upper portion of the machine, showing the lower portion thereof in plan; Fig. 8 is a vertical crosssection through the center of the machine and illustrating especiallythe means for operating the presser plate and daubers; this view is uponan enlarged scale; Fig. 9 is a cross section through one of the daubers;also upon an enlarged scale; Fig. 10 is a plan showing a slide platewhich constitutes a feature of the plan showing a blank from which theenvelop is formed, and indicating the manner in which the same is foldedto form the envelop; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationof the parts when the operation is about to commence; Fig. 13 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 12, but showing the first step in the folding operation;Fig. 14 is a view similar to Figs. 12 and 13, but representing the nextstep in the operation, which is the first step in the actual folding ofthe envelop flaps; Fig. 15 is a view simiinvention'; Fig. 11 is a lar toFig. 14 but representing the presser plate as withdrawn, the flaps ofthe envelop being ready to be folded by other mechanism; Fig. 16 is aview similar to Figs. 12 to 15, but representing the flaps of theenvelop in the operation of being folded inwardly; Fig. 17 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 16, but representing the plates which fold the flaps ofthe envelops as withdrawn, and the presser plate in the act ofdescending upon the folded envelop in order to seal the same; Fig. 18represents the parts with the presser plate against the envelop in theact of sealing; and Fig. 19 is a view representing the last stage of theoperation, the presser plate having been withdrawn and the envelopdelivered by an upward movement of the bed plate.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the frame of themachine, which comprises a pair of oppositely disposed standards 2 and3, which support between them, at a slight elevation, a platen 4. Abovethis platen the standards or columns 2 and 3 are connected by a rigidcrossshead 5 and in the upper extremities of the columns, a main drivingshaft 6 is rotatably mounted, the said shaft having a flywheel 7 and acrank 7. The cross head 5 is provided with a central hub 8 which isformed with a vertical bore 9 which constitutes a guide for a dauberplunger 10, the said dauber plunger being of tubular form andterminating below in a head 11 'to which daubers 12 are attached, asindicated most clearly in Fig. 8. Within this tubular plunger a stem 13is guided, which stem passes through the head 11, as shown, and carriesa presser plate 14. Near the upper extremity of the plunger 10, the stem13 is provided with a fixed collar 15 and beneath this collar there isarranged a spring 16 of helical form which is disposed aroundthe stem13, the lower extremity of the said spring thrusting against the head11. From this arrangement, the spring operates normally to maintain thestem 13 in an elevated position. The upper extremity of the stem 13carri es a roller 17 which is held by means of the spring against theface of a cam 18. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 1, the head 11 isnormally held in an elevated position by means of helical springs 19which are attached to the cross head 5 and to pins 20 projected from thehead 11. To prevent the plunger from rotating, it is provided with alongitudinal slot 10 into which projects a pin 10 on the hub 8.

To the upper extremity of the plunger 10 a large roller 21. is attached,and the springs 19 aforesaid afford means for holding the periphery ofthis roller against a cam 22 which is carried by the shaft 6, to whichshaft is also rigidly attached the aforesaid earn 1 18. On the forwardand rear sides of the head 11 the daubers 12 are attached, as indicated,the same being vertically adjustable by means of bolts 23 which passthrough vertically disposed slots 24.

The cam 18 is formed with a small extension or toe 25 and a largeextension 26 which projects in the opposite direction. The extension 25preferably has substantially the form shown in Fig. 8, and this toe Ishall call the sealing toe, as its purpose is to depress the presserplate 14 when the same is sealing the en velop. The function of theextension 26 is to depress the presser plate 14 when the envelop isbeingfolded. The function of the cam 22 is to depress the daubers 12 so as toapply mucilage to the envelop flaps in a 'inanner which will bedescribed more fully hereinafter,

and this cam I call the dauber cam.

On the upper side of the platen 4 I provide a pair of transverse cleats27 which constitute guides'to receive the edges of a slide plate 28.This slide plate is formed at its center with an opening 29 .ofsubstantially rectangular form, and this opening has substantially thesame dimensions as the finished envelop. Near its forward edge the plate28 is formed with a projection 30 to facilitate its being drawn towardthe front of the machine or forced into a central position; when in itscentral position, the opening '29 is disposed just beneath the presserplate 14 so as to aline substantially with a corresponding opening 31which is formed in the flap. On the upper surface of the slide plate 28,nibs 32 project upwardly at the corners of the opening 29, and these areadapted to assist in holding the blank 33 in the manner indicated inFig. 10, the blank being represented in dotted outline. I

On the under side of the platen4 I provide a spider 34, the arms whereofare rigidly attached to the platen as indicated most clearly in Figs. 4and 5. This spider is formed with a central hub 35 which is disposed inalinement with the central axis of the stem 13. To the hub 35a stem 36is guided vertically, and this stem carries at its upper extremity a bedplate 37. This bed plate 37 is of rectangular form and of slightlysmaller dimensions than the openings 31 and 29. The

lower extremity of the bed plate stem 36 is supported upon a resilientlever 38 which is pivotally mounted near the side of the machine upon asuitable bracket 39. The long arm of the lever 38 which lies under themachine has attached thereto a spring40, the upper a point beneath theplaten, so that this spring has a tendency to force the bed plateupwardly, as will be readily understood. In order to enable the bedplate to be locked in a depressed position as indicated in Fig. 4, Iprovide, at

'the left side of the machine, a catch 41 which is pivoted to the outerside of the column 3 at the point 42;

this catch is formed of a stout rod, the lower extremity whereof is bentinto a hook 43 which is adapted to engage the lower edge of the lever asindicated in Fig. 3;

in this way the lever may be held in. the position shown in Fig. 5, withthe stem 36 depressed. The

'catch 41 is formed above with a laterally projecting toe 44 and againstthis toe there rests the lower extremity of a resilient bar 45, the samebeing guided through suitable brackets 46 on the side of the column, asindicated. A spring 47 attached to the column affords means for holdingthis resilient bar in contact with a resilient cam 48, which cam iscarried by the aforesaid shaft 6. At the point of contact with the cam,the resilient bar is provided with a roller 49 which rolls on the faceof the cam. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 4, the platen 4 isprovided with four guide slots 50, 51, which extend at right anglesrespectively to the edges of the openings 29 and 31, and centrally with.respect to each other. These slots are formed as indicated in Fig. 5,with side grooves 52, which grooves support the side edges of folderplates or folders 53, 54. On their under sides these plates 53, 54 carryblocks 55 rigidly. It should be understood that these folders 53, 54 areadapted to be advanced into the space beneath the opening 29 for thepurpose of folding inwardly the flaps of the envelop. They are normallymaintained in a retracted position, however, by means of springs 56which are attached to the lower side of the platen, as indicated. I

I provide means for advancing the folders 54 simultaneously. For thispurpose, I provide at one side of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 4, amain rock shaft 57 which is suitably mounted in bearings 58 attached tothe under side of the platen. This rock shaft is provided with a dog 59which projects upwardly and lies adjacent to the rear face of one of theblocks 55 carried by the adjacent folder 54. Opposite the rock shaft 57there is a short rock shaft 60 which is similarly attached to the underface of the platen and provided with an upwardly projecting dog 61, andthis dog lies adjacent to the rear face of the block 55 which is carriedby the opposite folder 54. On the under face. of the platen 4 betweenthe rock shafts 57 and-60, transverse rock shafts 62 and 63 arerotatably attached in any suitable manner, as shown, and these rockshafts 62 and 63 are provided with dogs 64 which project upwardly asshown and lie adjacent to the rear edges of the blocks 55 which arecarried by the folders 53.

I provide means, to be described hereinafter, for rocking the main rockshaft 57. This rocking movement is transmitted to the rock shaft 62 bymeans of toes 65 carried respectively by the rock shaft 57 and the rockshaft 62, the said toes projecting toward each other and engaging neartheir extremities as shown in Fig. 4. By means of similar toes 66 whichare attached respectively to the shaft 57 and the shaft 63, this rockingmovement is transmitted also to the shaft 63, and this shaft, in turn,transmits a rocking movement to the shaft 60 through the medium ofsimilar toes 67 which attach respectively to the shaft 60, as indicated.From this arrangement it should be understood that when the' be In orderto rock shaft 57 is rocked, the folders 53 and 54 will moved in and outunder the opening 29. rock the shaft 57, the said shaft is provided atone side with lever 68, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 2 the saidlever projects upwardly at the side of the machine and its upperextremity lies near the side of the column 2. On the side of this columnthere is guided, in a vertical direction, a folder bar 69, the samepassing through suitable brackets 70 for this purpose. The lowerextremity of this folder bar 69 is provided with a roller 71 which rollsupon the upper face of the lever 68, as indicated most clearly in Fig.2, and the upper extremity of this folder bar carries a roller 71 whichis normally held against the face of a folder cam 72, which cam isrigidly carried by the shaft 60 aforesaid. In or der to hold the roller71 in engagement with the cam 72,1 provide a spring 73, the lowerextremity whereof wardly. The form of these attaches tremity of thespring being attached to a pin 74 projecting from the side of thecolumn, as indicated.

Referring again to the daubers 12, it should be stated that, asillustrated in Fig. 7, they are of curved or crescent form, theirconcave sides being disposed indaubers is such as to facilitate theapplication of mucilage near the outer edge of the outside folding flaps75 of the envelop blank 33. This blank 33 has a substantiallyrectangular body 76 with side or end flaps 77, of any suitable form suchas that shown. It should be understood that in folding the envelop flaps77 are first folded inwardly upon the dotted lines 78, as indicated inFig. 11, and the flaps are then folded upon the upon the flaps 77. Inthis way an envelop is formed, and by reason of the mucilage which issupplied previously by the daubers 12, the envelop is immediatelysealed. The construction of one of the daubers 12 is clearly shown inFig. which is bottomless as shown, the lower side of the inner bodybeing closed by sheets 81 of suitable fabric, which is held in positionby an outer body or keeper 82 which slips over the inner body from theunder side as indicated. In this connection it should be understood thatthe outer body fits snugly upon the inner body and constitutes aretaining ring or band for the sheets of fabric. In the interior of theinner body I place a quantity of mucilage, together with a suitableabsorbent material such as sponge or cotton. With this arrangement itshould be understood that if the lower faces of the daubers are appliedto the surface, a quantity of mucilage will be deposited.

The mode of operation of the machine will now be described: Parts of themachine being in the relation Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the slide plate 28is drawn outwardly so as to enable an envelop blank 33 to be placedthereupon, in the relation indicated in Fig. 10; that is, with the nibs32 of the plates received in the angles between the projecting flaps. Ithen lay centrally on the blank the inclosure 84 about which the envelopis to be formed. Having deposited the blank in the manner described, theslide plate is then returned to its normal central position. In doing soits rear edge will engage with stops 83 which arrest it in a centralposition beneath the presser plate. The normal position of the presserplate and the plunger 10, together with their operating cams, is clearlyshown in Fig. 8. Referring to this figure, it will be evident that whenthe crank 7 is rotated, the cam extension 26 will first come intooperation, its action being to depress the pressor plate 14. As thepresser plate 14 moves downwardly toward the blank therebelow, asindicated in Fig. 12, the cam 22 will come into operation to depress thedaubers 12 in the manner indicated in Fig. 13, so that before thepresser plate engages the blank, the dauber will have applied inucilageto the outside flap 75. The cam 22 will then pass out of the path of theroller 21 and allow the daubers '12 to withdraw, as indicated in Fig.14, while the downward shown in to the extremity of the lever 68, theupper eX-' lines 79 so as to come down 9; it is formed of an inner body8Q movement of the presser plate continues, as indicated I drawing thepresser plate from the opening 29 and leaving the parts in the relationshown in Fig. 15. A movement on the folder bar.69 is now begun by thecam 72, and as this bar moves downwardly it rocks the lever 68downwardly. This rocking movement of the lever 68 is transmitted throughthe main rock shaft 57 to the other rock shafts G0, 62, 63. The movementof the rock shafts 62 and 63 results immediately in producing a movementof the folders 53, which move inwardly and engage the inside flaps ofthe envelops. Following this movement the folders 5 1 move inwardly soas to fold the outside flaps of the blank inwardly, as indicated in Fig.16. The cam folders to withdraw themselves and now the cam extension 25comes into play to operate to depress the presser plate 14, as indicatedin Fig. 17. This movement continues until the presser plate presses thefolded blank upon the bed plate as indicated in Fig. 18, and thisoperation effectively seals the envelop. The presser plate thenwi'hdraws and the continued rotation of the shaft 6 brings the cam 48into play. This cam operates to force the release bar 45 downwardly,which throws the with the releasing lever 38. The spring 40 thenoperates to force the stem 36 upwardly and in this way the bed plate 37is thrown into an elevated position above the opening 29, facilitatingthe removal of the complete envelop, as indicated in Fig. 19.

With the machine described above, the envelop blanks may be fed intoposition beneath the presser plate, and the envelop will be quicklyformed about the inclosure which is previously laid thereupon.

If it is desired to form ordinary unsealed envelops in which inclosuresmay be placed later, the folding plate corresponding to the unsealedflap will be disconnected, together with the corresponding dauber.

The edges of the opening 29 will be knurled, scored or roughened byattaching sand-paper so that they will tend to prevent the withdrawal ofthe blank when the press plate returns upwardl If it is desired to makean envelop with one flap inserted and unsealed this can be accomplishedby adjusting the corresponding folder plate to move more in advance;this is possible by reason of the set screw attachment for connectingthe dogs that advance the folders.

By disconnecting a pair of opposite folders the device may be used forplacing wrappers on papers.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1, In a machine of the class described, in combination, a plate havingan opening therein, means for forcing an envelop blank through saidopening, folders adapted to advance into the space beneath said openingto fold the flaps of the envelop, rock shafts respectively controllingsaid folders and having toes projecting laterally therefrom, said toesbeing in engagement with each other whereby the retation of one of saidrock shafts transmits a rocking movement to the remainder of said rockshafts.

2. In a machine of the class described, in combination, guide therefor,a stem carrying said bed through said guide, a lever engaging the lowerextremity of said stem, a spring tending to force said lever in adirection to elevate said bed plate, a latch affording means for lockingsaid lever with said bed plate in a depressed position, means forforming an envelop on said bed plate, and automatic means for releasingsaid latch.

a bed plate, a plate and passing 72 now permits all the 3. In a machineof the class described, in combination, a tubular plunger carryingdaubers adapted to apply an adhesive substance to an envelop blank heldtherebeneath, means for guiding said plunger in a vertical direction, astem passing through said plunger, a spring disposed about said stemWithin said plunger tending to force said stem upwardly and said plungerdownwardly, and means for independently depressing said plunger and saidstem.

4. In a machine of the class described, in combination. a frame, aplunger guided in said frame, springs constraining said plungerupwardly, daubers carried by said plunger and adapted to apply anadhesive substance to an envelop blank held therebeneath, a presserplate having a stem guided through said plunger, means tending to forcesaid presser plate upwardly, and independent means for depressing saidplunger and said presser plate.

5. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frame atubular plunger, means for guiding said plunger on said frame, dauberscarried by said plunger and adapted to apply an adhesive substance to anenvelop blank, a presser plate having a stem guided through saidplunger, a

collar rigidly carried by said stem within said plunger, 9. springdisposed about said stem tending to force said collar upwardly and saidplunger downwardly, means tending to force said plunger upwardly, andcams codperating with said plunger and said stem for depressing thesame.

6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a frameincluding a platen, a plunger guided on said frame and carrying daubersadapted to touch a blank held on said platen, said platen having anopening therethrough, a presser plate adapted to force an envelop blankthrough said opening, a transverse shaft, trolling said plunger and saidneath said platen and adapted forced through said opening, said shaftfor actuating said folders.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER LOUIS BARSTOW.

presser plate, folders beto operate upon a blank Witnesses JAS. C.PANNELL, JNo. .T. MCAULIFFE.

cams car -ied thereby conand mechanism driven from

